Top reads on Fin24: New Eskom board unveiled, Steinhoff guide for dummies and egg prices to rise

Cape Town - ICYMI: A roundup of Friday's must-read financial and economic news.

Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown has retained the current Eskom board, keeping under-fire interim chair Zethembe Khoza until the first board meeting next year.

It was widely expected that Brown would make big adjustments, but she opted to appoint only two new people.

Brown said her strategy is to recruit specialist business expertise to fill additional vacant board positions prior to the annual general meeting in June 2018.

The new Eskom board, approved by Cabinet this week, comprises Khoza, Dr Pat Naidoo, Giovanni Leonardi, Dr Pulane Molokwane, Simphiwe Dingaan, Dr Banothile Makhubela and Sathiaseelan Gounden. The two new board members are Professor Malegapuru Makgoba and Professor Tshepo Mongalo.

READ: Brown unveils Eskom's new board

A Steinhoff guide for dummies

Six questions about Steinhoff you were too embarrassed to ask (including who the Steinhoff is that started it all).

Who is Steinhoff and where did it all start?

What is Steinhoff today then?

So what has been happening to its share price?

What has happened to Markus Jooste since he resigned?

And then there is some sort of criminal investigation?

• READ: A Steinhoff guide for dummies - where it all started

Egg prices to jump up to 20%

Egg prices are expected to increase between 15% and 20% as suppliers have to cover the costs of lower production due to the Avian flu outbreak, according to an analyst.

In a statement this week Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Business, shared on the impact of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) on egg prices.

Earlier this year, producers warned that a shortage of poultry products would drive up prices.

“The increase in egg prices is subject to demand and supply dynamics, with the influenza outbreak having a major influence on the recent spike,” explained Makube.